-I as a fan do not believe it is possible for anyone to witness such brilliant artistic masterpieces of animated motion picture, without the slightest possibility of being somewhat moved. Then again, completely moved. #5 on The Anime Overview top ten is arguably the most profoundly moving anime films ever made. While being one of the most recognized anime movies ever made, "Grave Of The Fireflies" has also been regarded as both a visual and production groundbreaker in animated film.
-Grave Of The Fireflies is a visually stunning tale of the survival of two siblings durring post WWII. An elaborately and masterfully animated feature combines some of the most incredible, and profound pieces of anime storytelling ever created. First thing which is always noticable about the film is it's high attention to historical accuracy, as well as it's meticulous and precise detail. The film utilizes the much unorthodox technique of "browning", full-motion cel is combined with extreme visual detail to give the film a highly unique look unlike any seen. The result is almost a shocking one, since the film's nature reflects much on some of the most terrible periods in history; each detail has been done to the most extent to every single inch of dirt, bomb-remains, fire and piece of architecture. Grave Of The Fireflies, does not try to re-produce it's surroundings (Though it succeeds in doing so rather marvelously), but rather; it's been said that the animators attempted to stylize life-like situations rather than mimic it like most full-motion animations. This has been the format for many anime films of this nature. The animation in Grave Of The Fireflies is indeed, nothing short of masterful. Of course, this makes the storyline all the more disturbing and realistic. A story told from a human point of view, a provoking social commentary on war's horrors.
-The approach of storytelling in the film is unlike anything seen in other war animes like "Barefoot Gen", or any war film for that matter. Instead, the animators take a more artistic approach. Rather than graphically depicting the aspects of war's destruction, the film takes it's time considerable in showing the viewers exactly what these characters went through. For the most part of the film, Grave Of The Fireflies is a profound human drama about the survival of childhood in war, as well as the ignorance of hate and destruction. The result is a masterful film so artistically profound, it leaves no viewer unmoved.
-Grave Of The Fireflies is a beautiful film in a sense I feel it has captured the true aspects of war, while at the same time has showed points of views from a child's perspective. In the end, it is they who truly suffer, since they are left with the burden of war. Grave Of The Fireflies is one of the greatest anti-war films ever made in this sense, and a classic anime masterpiece. While it's excellent production make it a highly regarded technical achievment all it's own, it is the film's timeless characters and masterful story that makes it great. Truly one of the greatest animes ever made.
